❓ Hon. Anthony Fels questions the Health Minister regarding lead isotope fingerprinting results for children affected by lead pollution in Esperance and the proposed management for those with elevated or stagnant blood lead levels. The Minister provides details on testing, case management, and ongoing investigations.
AnsweredQoN 1189Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ESPERANCE LEAD POLLUTION - CHILDREN
I refer to the 81 children with blood lead levels of five micrograms per decilitre and over following lead pollution in Esperance. (1) Of the children whose blood lead level has increased, what is the result of lead isotope fingerprinting to ascertain their source of lead? (2) Of the children whose blood lead level has remained the same, what is the result of lead isotope fingerprinting to ascertain their source of lead? (3) What is the proposed management for children whose blood lead level has increased or has not fallen as expected in a lead-free environment? Hon SUE ELLERY
I refer to the 81 children with blood lead levels of five micrograms per decilitre and over following lead pollution in Esperance. (1) Of the children whose blood lead level has increased, what is the result of lead isotope fingerprinting to ascertain their source of lead? (2) Of the children whose blood lead level has remained the same, what is the result of lead isotope fingerprinting to ascertain their source of lead? (3) What is the proposed management for children whose blood lead level has increased or has not fallen as expected in a lead-free environment? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
(1) Of the children whose blood lead level has increased, what is the result of lead isotope fingerprinting to ascertain their source of lead? (2) Of the children whose blood lead level has remained the same, what is the result of lead isotope fingerprinting to ascertain their source of lead? (3) What is the proposed management for children whose blood lead level has increased or has not fallen as expected in a lead-free environment? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
(2) Of the children whose blood lead level has remained the same, what is the result of lead isotope fingerprinting to ascertain their source of lead? (3) What is the proposed management for children whose blood lead level has increased or has not fallen as expected in a lead-free environment? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
(3) What is the proposed management for children whose blood lead level has increased or has not fallen as expected in a lead-free environment? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
(1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals.
The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals.
The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals.
There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals.
(1) Of the children whose blood lead level has increased, what is the result of lead isotope fingerprinting to ascertain their source of lead? (2) Of the children whose blood lead level has remained the same, what is the result of lead isotope fingerprinting to ascertain their source of lead? (3) What is the proposed management for children whose blood lead level has increased or has not fallen as expected in a lead-free environment? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
(2) Of the children whose blood lead level has remained the same, what is the result of lead isotope fingerprinting to ascertain their source of lead? (3) What is the proposed management for children whose blood lead level has increased or has not fallen as expected in a lead-free environment? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
(3) What is the proposed management for children whose blood lead level has increased or has not fallen as expected in a lead-free environment? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
(1)-(2) Analysis of the data has shown that only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level. To date, two separate groups of isotope testing of blood lead samples have been taken in Esperance, all relating to the first batch of blood lead level testing. Random samples were selected from the batch of bloods provided through the original community clinic and forwarded to an eastern states laboratory, which I am advised is the only facility capable of undertaking this analysis in a reliable manner. Samples submitted were from both adults and children and were used to initially confirm that Magellan lead was present in the blood of residents and to assist in further refining the environmental health investigation. The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals. (3) The families in the homes of all children who have an increased BLL, or whose BLL has not fallen as expected, are being case managed, when requested, by a senior public health physician from the goldfields public health unit. This physician is working with the parents and family physician, wherever possible, to identify possible sources of lead around the home. In addition, a senior environmental health officer and chemist from the Chemistry Centre (WA) visited each home to identify potential exposure pathways. The independent lead expert from the University of Newcastle is aware of the cases and is assisting in the assessments.
The second round of blood samples was selected from the original batch of bloods from the community clinic, targeting children five years of age and under who had returned a blood lead level of five micrograms per decilitre or greater, in order to assist in understanding their exposure pattern. This testing confirmed that their lead exposure pattern was similar to the rest of the community and that the environmental health investigation underway remained appropriate. The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals.
The public health physician involved in the case management of individual children has utilised follow-up lead isotope testing as well as other medical diagnostic tests to assist in the medical management of individuals whose blood lead levels did not respond in the expected way to his case-management regime. Under these circumstances it is not appropriate to advise whether the individual children have been part of that sample. However, the medical and health professionals managing those cases and the environmental health investigation are satisfied with the direction of those investigations and continue to work towards eliminating potential sources of lead. They will use whatever diagnostic and analytical tools may be appropriate to assist in managing the children’s conditions. The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals.
The Western Australian government has been advised that the eastern states laboratory cannot process any further samples from Esperance until February 2008. However, this is not expected to impact markedly on the case management of each individual child or the environmental health investigation of the places of residence of those children. There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals.
There are notes to go with that. First, no isotope testing has been requested for the second round of blood tests, as the initial isotoping informed the Department of Health’s assessment of the blood lead results for the second round. Isotope testing will occur on the third round of blood samples to ensure that the original exposure pattern has not changed. The Department of Health is also presently working in conjunction with the Chemistry Centre (WA) to determine whether an isotope testing protocol can be established in Western Australia. Second, as only three children have experienced an overall increase in blood lead level, privacy and potential identification concerns must be considered in relation to these individuals.
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